Adhesion molecules: a new target for immunoliposome-mediated drug delivery.

The anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody F10.2 was conjugated to liposomes to target to cells expressing the cell adhesion molecule ICAM-1. We demonstrate that F10.2 immunoliposomes bind to human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in a specific, dose- and time-dependent manner. It appears that the degree of ICAM-1 expression is the limiting factor in the degree of immunoliposome binding to the cells. These results are a first step in the strategy for specific drug delivery to target sites characterised by increased expression of adhesion molecules.